Device for x-ray photography, in particular for mammography

ABSTRACT

An X-ray photography device for mammography, including a support which is connected to a telescopic horizontal arm, is rotatable about the axis of the arm, and also is tiltable about an axis which is perpendicular to the arm.

United States Patent 1191 [11] 3,824,397 Bauer et al. July 16, 1974 DEVICE FOR X-RAY PHOTOGRAPHY, IN

PARTICULAR FOR MAMMOGRAPHY [56] References Cited [75] Inventors: Manfred Bauer; Gerhard Ilellberg; 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS Friedrich Reiniger, all of Hamburg, 3,365,575 1/1968 Strax 250/50 Germany 3,456,114 7/1969 Gray 250/52 3,530,293 7/1970 Weltmer 250/50 1 Asslgneer Philips Corporation, New 3,609,355 9/1971 Schwartzee.... 250/50 Y r Y 3,636,349 1/1972 Faude et a] 250/615 [22] Flled: May 1972 Primary Exanziner-James W. Lawrence [21] Appl. No.1 250,071 Assistant Examiner-B. C. Anderson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Frank R. Trifari [30] M FlolreigtglApghcation Pr10r1ty Data 2123151 ABSTRACT Ely ermany An X ray photography device for mammography including a support which is connected to a telescopic [52] Cl 250/320 250/490 0 horizontal arm, is rotatable about the axis of the arm, 51 1m. 01. G03b 41/16 and is about an axis which is Perpendicu' 15s 1 Field of Search 250/50, 53, 61.5, 320, the

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1 DEVICE FOR X-RAY PHOTOGRAPHY, IN PARTICULAR FOR MAMMOGRAPHY The invention elates to a device for X-ray photography, in particular for mammography, comprising an X-ray tube and a film table provided on a support which is connected to a vertically adjustable telescopic horizontal arm, said support being rotatable about the axis of said arm.

A known device of this kind comprises a slide with a telescopic horizontal arm, said slide being connected to a stand so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction. A bar-shaped support is connected to the free end of this arm, perpendicular to the axis thereof, such that it is rotatable about the said axis. Connected to the ends of this support are an X-ray tube and a film table with a film'holder, respectively. The support which is rotatable about the axis of this telescopic horizontal arm enables X-ray photographs to be taken in arbitrary directions perpendicular to the arm, without it being necessary to displace the patients chair in the direction of the arm.

The invention has for its object to enable improved adaptation of the position of the support with the photographic equipment to the posture or the shape of the patient so as to reduce the time required for each exposure; this time, of course, is of major importance in mass breast-cancer examinations. According to the invention, this object is acheived in that the support can be tilted with respect to the horizontal arm about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of this arm. A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the complete device,

FIG. 2 shows the actual photography device in a normal position,

FIG. 3 shows the photography device shown in FIG. 2 in a tilted position with respect to the stand,

FIG. 4 shows the photography device shown in FIG. 2 in a rotated position with respect to the stand,

FIG. 5 shows the photography device shown in FIG. 2 in which a few details have been changed, and

FIGS. 6 and 7 serve to illustrate the operation of the device shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 denotes an apparatus cabinet which is arranged on the floor and which accommodates the high-voltage devices and measuring equipment required for the X-ray tube, switches and rotary control knobs etc. Mounted on one side of the apparatus cabinet 1 is a vertical stand 2 on which a slide 3, comprising a telescopic horizontal arm 3a, can be displaced in the vertical direction. The free end of the arm 3a accommodates the actual photography device 4 which is shown in detail in FIG. 2. A bar-shaped support 5 is connected to the free end of the arm 3a. A film table 6 is connected to a telescopic portion 7 of the support 5, at the lower end of the support. Arranged on the upper end of the support 5 is an X-ray tube which is enveloped by a screening cylinder 8, a customary light-visor device 9 with cover 10 being rigidly mounted therebelow. A plate-like compression device ll is connected to the telescopic portion 7 in an adjustable manner, while on the table 6 a film-holding strip 24 with marks 12 for the position of the measuring field of a customary exposure meter is provided.

The object to be examined, in this case a female breast, can be positioned between the film table with film and the compression plate 11. The reference numeral l3 denotes a flexible cable in which the supply leads for the X-ray tube are contained. The telescopic arm 3a is connected to a portion of the slide 3 (not separately shown) in known manner, said portion being rotatable about the axis of the arm 3a with respect to the remaining portion. As a result, it is not only possible to move the entire phoJography device 4 towards the patient, but also to make photographs in the vertical as well as in the horizontal and other directions. Moreover, according to the invention the support 5 can be .tilted approximatelyy 15 about an axis 15 which is perpendicular to the arm 3a, the device 4 then being substantially balanced by a counter-weight 14 connected to rods 16. Optimum adaptation of the position of the photography device 4to the posture and the shape of the patient can thus be readily achieved so that the preparations for exposure require only little time.

FIG. 3 shows the photography device in a tilted forward position and FIG. 4 illustrates a position where this device has been rotated with respect to the stand 2. FIG. 5 shows the photography device 4 shown in FIG. 3, the cover 10 at the bottom of the light-visor device 9,,however, being replaced by a so-termed compression tube 17. When the latter is used, the compression plate 11, which may be clamped in a detachable manner in a displaceable holder 18, can be dispensed with.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the marks 12 which are provided on the film holding strip 24 and which correspond to the two end positions of the measuring field of the exposure meter. The shape of the marks 12 is adapted to the shape of the object of examined, i.e. the female breast.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the compression device 11. A sectional view is given of the foremost wall 19, facing the patient, of the telescopic portion 7 of the support 5. Between the wall 19 and the support 5, a slide 21 accommodating the holder 18 for the compression device 11 is displaceable on two guides 20 (only one guide visible in this Figure), it being possible for the said comprssion device 11 to consist of a compression plate made of, for example, a synthetic resin material with an end 25 which is bent at right angles, or of a compression cloth or foil which is kept stretched in a suitable frame. The slide 21 can be readily slid downwards; displacement in the opposite direction is possible only if a lever 22 is simultaneously pressed.

What is claimed is:

1. An X-ray device, particularly for mammography, the device when oriented generally upright, comprising: a base, an arm extending generally horizontally from the base, the arm being vertically positionable relative to said base, the arm being axially extendible along a first horizontal axis, a support attached to said arm and pivotal relative to said arm about said first axis, the support having first and second parts defining a second axis between them, one being movable relative to the other along said second axis, an X-ray source carried by the first part, a film table carried by the second part, the support being pivotal relative to said arm about a third axis perpendicular to said first axis.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a counter-weight carried by said support for balancing the support in pivoting about said third axis.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a compression plate situated adjacent said film table and intermediate the film table and X-ray source, said plate being axially movable along said second axis for compressing mammary tissue against said table.

4. Apparatus for X-ray photogrpahy, particularly mammography, the apparatus when oriented generally upright, comprising: a support having a first part that carries an X-ray source and a second part that carries a table for holding film, the two parts defining between 4 them a second axis, one part being movable relative to the other along said second axis, a base, an arm extending horizontally from said base and being extendible along a first horizontal axis therethrough, the arm being vertically movable relative to said base, said support being connected to and also being pivotable relative to said arm about said first axis and about a third axis perpendicular to said first axis.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a counter-weight carried by said support for balancing said support in pivoting about said third axis.

53 3 3; UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,824,397 Dated July 16, 1974 Inventofls) MANFRED BAUER ET AL It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Lettets Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the title, after "Foreign Application Priority Data May 11, 1971 Germany" delete "2123151" and insert --2l23151.6

Signed and sealed this 8th day of octwoer 1974,

' (SEAL) Attest:

} MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. An X-ray device, particularly for mammography, the device when oriented generally upright, comprising: a base, an arm extending generally horizontally from the base, the arm being vertically positionable relative to said base, the arm being axially extendible along a first horizontal axis, a support attached to said arm and pivotal relative to said arm about said first axis, the support having first and second parts defining a second axis between them, one being movable relative to the other along said second axis, an X-ray source carried by the first part, a film table carried by the second part, the support being pivotal relative to said arm about a third axis perpendicular to said first axis.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a counter-weight carried by said support for balancing the support in pivoting about said third axis.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a compression plate situated adjacent said film table and intermediate the film table and X-ray source, said plate being axially movable along said second axis for compressing mammary tissue agaInst said table.
 4. Apparatus for X-ray photogrpahy, particularly mammography, the apparatus when oriented generally upright, comprising: a support having a first part that carries an X-ray source and a second part that carries a table for holding film, the two parts defining between them a second axis, one part being movable relative to the other along said second axis, a base, an arm extending horizontally from said base and being extendible along a first horizontal axis therethrough, the arm being vertically movable relative to said base, said support being connected to and also being pivotable relative to said arm about said first axis and about a third axis perpendicular to said first axis.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a counter-weight carried by said support for balancing said support in pivoting about said third axis. 